Voting-machine



Patented Sept. 27, I898. L. R. WINSLOW. VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1897.) V

4 Sheets-Sheet l.

I No. 6l|,403.

(No Model.)

No. 6ll,403. Patented Sept. 27

L. R. WINSLOW. VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1897.)

4 Sheets$heet 2.

(No Model.)

IIJOQIJIOP ,403. I Patented Sept. 27, I898.

L. R. WINSLUW.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Max:213, 1897.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

bh bu Hr Z i N N 3 A 1w 9% \w s a w w 3 my TLNPJI. ra L I NH -m |.P E

2 a O O O O O O N 1 N m i. .N M. N w v Q I Wifgzsszs Patented Sept. 27, E898.

Nd. 6ll,403.

L. R. WINSLDW.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1897.

(No Modl.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

wiigzssz s rodidates are cast- 5 State of Missouri,

PATENT Osman.

LENNA RYLAND WINSLOW, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

vo-rmc-maoeme.

BQECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 61 1,403,

Application fled Earth 26, 1897.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, Lanna RYLAND WINS- Low, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and have invented a new and of which the followuseful Voting-Machine, ing is a. specification.

My invention relates to voting-machines of that class wherein the votes for different canby the operation of buttons or slides adapted to be operated either inden'dentiy or in series, as the voter may elect, to facilitate discrimination as to candidates without regard to party, or to enable the r 5 voter by-a single operation to vote a straight ticket.

The ohjectin view is to provide mechanism whereby the votes of successive voters may.

' be cast without either being able to discover no for whom his predecessors votes were cast,

6 tickets which have been 5o Fig. 4 its detail 5 ticai sectional view of the same.

and, furthermore, to provide in connection with each voting slide or button a separate tally mechanism which'is normally concealed,

all of the telly mechanisms being adapted to *5 be exposed simultaneously after the close of the election to display in plain figures and without the task of counting votes the entire number of ballots cast for each candidate, together with the entire nnmgasr of straight vote A further object of the invention is to pro vide means whereby an accurate tally of the number of voters is kept, and, furthermore, to provide means for preventing the casting of a baliot {or more than one candidate for, each oiiice.

Farther objects and advantages of this in vention will appear in-the following descrip tion, and the novel features thereof will he claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a voting-machine constructed in ac cordancewith my invention. Fig. 2 is a ver- Fig. 3 is a horizontal section showing in plan view a series oftaliy mechanisms and operating devices-"With the means for locking the remain ing slides when one is operated to cast a vote. plan view or the slide-loch is a detail plan view oi ingd'evices. Fig. 5

Eig. ii is as one of the telly mechanisms.

essary herein to one partitions 3 dated September 27, 1898.

Eeriel F0. 829,441. (No model.)

inverted plan view of the same. Fig. 7 is a detail transverse section of the same on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail longitudinal section of the same on the line B 8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a front view of one oi the tally mechanisms. Fig. 10 is a partial rear view to show the relative arrangement of the trip-frame and locking-perils, and also show ing the means for locking the slides of the tally mechanisms used in-casting votes for constitutional amendments. Fig. 11 is a detail vertical section of the same on the line 11 11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a detail view in perspective of one of the ballot-slides de tached'. Fig.13 is modified form of slide used in connection with the amendment-tally mechanisms. Fig. 14. is a .view of the voter-counting mechanism and the means for operating;- the shield, whereby the indexes of the vote-tally mechanisms are normally concealed.

Similar numerals of reference'indicate cor responding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The mechanism embodying my invention comprises a suitable casing 1, provided in its front wall with a plurality of transparent panels 2, one for each party for. which votesrear of the plane of this are to be cast, and in front wall is arranged a plurality of vertical partitions 3, connected by horizontal supporting rods 4. These rods support tally mechanisms, (shown-in detail iilFigS. 5 to 9, inclusive.) and as the construction of all of said mechanisms is the saineit will be use describe but one. The box or shell 5, in which each tally mechanism is incicsed, is provided with upwardly-extending perforated ears 6, which fit upon the horiaontsl supporting-rods 4 between two contiguor between the outermost partitions and the side walls of the casing 1 and this box or shell is provided with a front wall 7, arranged contiguous to the plane of the transparent panels 2 and provided with inspection-openings 8,.through each of which is exposed one numeral of an index or dial of which a plurality (shown at 9 i? 9, doc.) are employed. In the constrnction illustrated in the drawings three of these dials are shown, end each carries, dependin% ins 10, consthtuting a cage-gear, withwh c meshes a cor responding pinion ll on one of a plurality of vertical arbors 12, arranged, respectively, in rear of: the arbors 13 of the dials. The arbors 12 further carry ratchet-wheels 14, of which one is adapted to receive motion from the ballot-casting device, which, in the construction illustrated, consists of a slide 15, mounted for corresponding forward and rearward movement in the box or shell and extends through a suitable opening in' the front wall.

of the casing to form a projection or button '16. This slide carries an operating-pawl 17, of yielding construction, which is so disposed with relation to the teeth of the units-ratchet 14 that each rearward movement; of the slide in the direction indicated. by the arrows I thereon in Figs. and 6 will move said ratchet tween contiguous teeth thereof.

through a distance equal to the interval be Obviously the units-ratchet is that which is operatively connected with the units-dial 9, and the unitsratchet carries an operating-finger 18, which is adapted to engage the teeth of the tens ratchet 14 and move the latter through one step or the distance between contiguous teeth for each complete revolution of the units-ratchet. In the same way means are provided for communicating motion from each ratchet connected with a dial of lower denomination to the ratchet of the contiguous dial of higher denomination, and it is obvious that any desired number of dials and operating-ratchets may be employed in connection with a suitable number of inspection openings 8 to enable a vote aggregating any desired number to be exposed at the front of the box or shell. Each ratchet is also provided with a spring-actuated stop-pawl 19 to prevent accidental backward rotation thereof.

In. connection with the above described mechanism I employ resetting devices located in operative relation with each tally mechanism for returning the dials to their normal or zero positions, and in the construction illustrated this resetting mechanism consists of a shifting frame 20, mounted upon suitable ids-pins 21' in the box=or shell and carryng an operating-spindle 22' and connected auxiliary spindles 23, which together aggregate a number equal to the number of dials '21 said pinions may be caused, to mesh with the mutilated gears, whereupon the rotation of the operating-spindle 22 by means of a thumb-wheel 25 ofi its rear extremity will cause each of the mutilated gears to be turned in a forward or advance direction, and this rotation will continue until the plane or untoothed portion of each mutilated gear is arranged'contiguous. to the pinion by which it is reoeivingmotion. When the rotation of all of the dials has ceased, they will stand in the position indicated in Fig, 9, with all of the numerals 9 exposed through the inspection-opening, whereupon a single pressure of the slide 15 in each tally mechanism will turn all of the dials to zero, and thus arrange the mechanism in position for operation.

Each vertical series of tally mechanisms is designed for use in castingvotes for the candidates of a particular party, all of the tally mechanisms for the candidates for the same cities in the several parties being arranged in a common horizontal series; and in orderto prevent the slides belonging to the tally mechanisms in either oi? said horizontal series from being operated in plural, or, in other words, to prevent more than one vote from being cast for any particular oilice, I employ look- .ing mechanism in connection with the slides of each of said horizontal series, whereby when one slide in a horizontal series is repressed to operate its respective tally mechanism the remaining. slides belonging to the tally mechanisms in-the same horizontal se-' ries are locked against repression and remain so until the repressed slide has been released.

and returned to its normal position This locking mechanism includes bolts 26, mounted in a transverse guide 27 and provided in its front and rear sides with openings 28, which register with the openings in which the slides are mounted. Each slide ispro: "vided-with a cam-surface 29, adapted tocoact with corresponding cam-faces 30 on the contiguous extremities of the bolts 26, and the lengths of the bolts are so regulated that when a slide is repressed, as shown at a in Fig. 4, thereby spreading the contiguous extremities of the bolts 26 (by the coacting cam-faces 29 and 30) sufficiently to allow the slide to pass therebetween the remote extremities of said bolts are forced into the paths of the cams 29 on the remaining slides of the horizontal se-. ries. namely, with the remote ends of the bolts in the paths of the remaining slides of the series-continues as long as the first'named slide remains extended, and in order to prevent the withdrawal of said operated slide and the subsequent operation of other slides or a second operation of the same slide 1 have devised locking mechanism, which in the construction illustrated consists of retaining- Jpawls 31, one of which is arranged in opera- This relative arrangement of partstive relation with each slide, and ratchetteeth or shoulders 32 and 33 on the slide. The. pawl is normally in rear of the rcarmost tooth 32 of each slide, and as said teeth are beveled the slidemay be pushed rearwardly by pressure applied to its front projection or button 16'to cause said'pawl to engagewith teeth successively; but subsequent withthe pawl 31 with the foremost engaged.

wheel 11' a greater drawal of the slide is prevented by this engagement until the pawl shall have been dis- The initial movement of a slide necessary to cause the engagement of the pawl-31 with the rearmost notch 32 is accomplished without affecting the telly mechanism, but is. suflicient to cause the spreading of the slide-locking bolts, and after this enement with the notch32. the slide cannot be withdrawn. Further" repression of the slide sufficient to cause the engagement of notch 33 actuates the tally mechanism. Hence the object in employing two teeth or notches 32 33 is to prevent the withdrawal of the slide after it has been pushed sufficiently to cause the con- 17 with atooth of it is obvious that tact ot the operating-pawl one of the wheels 11, as

' without the rear-most notch 32 a slide could be pushed sufliciently to advance the wheel 11 slightly and could then be withdrawn and pushed again, and this operation repeated a suflicient n'umber of .times to. advance the distance than the interval between two of its teeth or a greater distance than is sufiicient to register one vote. The

repeated movements. Stop-pins 34 and vare preferably arrangedupon each slide to limit, respectively, the forward and rearward movements of the slide.

After the voter has cast his votes for the several candidates and before the following voter is allowed access to-the machine it is necessary to return the slides to their normal or extended positions, and the means which I have illustrated in the drawings for accomplishing this object consists of a replacer comprising a frame 36, having vertical bars which are adapted to bear against the projecting rear'ends of the slides and by movement to- .ward the front of the machine advance all of the slides simultaneously, this frame being supported hyupperi'and lower swinging arms .37 and 38,'of which the former are carried by a rock-shaft 39, provided with a handle 40; but in order to prepare the slides for this shifting or replacing movement it is necessary to release them from the pawls 31, whereby they a means of rocking levers slides before are normally this I provide a trip-firame comprising horizontal trip-rods 41, connected-by suitable upright bars 42 and arranged, respectively, under ears or projections 43 on said pawls. This trip-frame is supported at its upper end by 44, while the lower extremities of the connecting bars 42 are .fitted in suitable fixed guides 45. The rear ends of the rocking leversare arranged in the paths of cams 116 on the rock-shaft 39, wherey as the rock-shaft'is turned to actuate the replacingtame the trip-frame is elevated to disengage all of the retaining-pawls from the said replacingframecornes in contact withthe rear extremities of the slides. The continued movement of the replacingtrame then advances all of the repressed slides held locked; and to accomplish and at the limit of its movement comes in contact with-an arm 47 on the knocker 48 of the alarm mechanism, said alarm mechanism including the gong t9. The sounding of the alarm signifies that the machine is in readinose for a succeeding voter.

In the drawings I have illustrated two of the tally mechanisms arranged for casting votes on constitutional and other amendments, the construction thereof being identical with the tally mechanisms hereinbefore described, with the exception that they are not arranged in series wi h the tally mechanisms designed for use in casting votes for candidates. They are preferably arranged in separate series and provided with independent locking devices where the amendments are respectively of opposite intention or designed to treat a certain subject from opposite standpoints. In the construction illustrated the boxes or shells 7, which contain tally mechanisms for receiving votes cast on amendments, are arranged in a vertical series, and the slides 15 thereof are arranged in opera-- tive relation with a locking-bolt 26, having terminal notches or openings through which said slides operate, and the slides are pro vided with upper and lower cam-faces 29", which are adapted to onset with shoulders 30 on the bolt to provide for locking one slide against repression when the other slide has been operated, The notches 32 and 33 do not extend entirely across the slide, but terminate at a guide rib 32, whereby, al though the pawls 31 can engage-the notches to prevent the slide from being drawn forward, the locking-bolt 26"- is prevented from dropping into engagement with the notches. The repression of a slide sufficiently to en gage the first notch 32 with the pawl operates the locking-bolts, and any further repression of said slide sufficient to engage the notch 33 with the pawl actuates the tally mec'in anism.

it frequently occurs that it is desirable to cast votes for all of the candidates belonging to a given party, and to enable this to be accomplished with facility and without the necessity of operating separately each slide con-- nected with the tally mechanisms relating to said candidates of the same party I provide an actuating-rod 50, connected at'its upper end with an operating lever 51, having a flexible operating cord attached at its lower end to a link 53. When. the free or outer end of a lever is depressed, the operating-rod comes in contact with lateral pins as on the slides and represses the latter simultaneously. Contiguous to the up per end ofthe operating-rod is a tally niechanism similar in construction to those hereinbefore described,- having'a slide 15", also similar to the slides 15 and 15, with the are caption that it does not project beyond the face of the casing to form an operating-knob. The function'oi thetally mechanism having this modified construction of slide 15 is is or connection 52 .and

It is also desirable'in a mechanism of this class to provide means whereby the number of votes cast for theseveral candidates is normally concealed and is adapted to be exposed only after the completion of the election or the closing of the polls, and the means which I have devised for attaining this ob ject include a shield 55, arranged between the front faces of the tally-boxes and the contiguous front wall or transparent panels of; the casing, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. This shield is provided at intervals with openings spaced apart to suit the intervals between the tally-boxes, but normally arranged out of registration with the inspection-openings 8 of thetally mechanisms, and when it is desired to expose the means showing the n um .ber of votes cast this shieldis shifted to cause registration of its transverse openings with those in the tally boxes. This shifting operation of the shield is accomplished by means of a shifting-lever 56, having an arm 57 within the casing, which is terminally attached to the shield. Thev shifting-lever is normally locked by anysuitable means-such as a padlock 58, (see Fig. 1,) engaging an eye on the lever and a contiguous stapIe -and when it is desired to shift the shield said lever is released by one of the election oflicers.

' In addition to the mechanism above described I have provided voter-counting devices consisting of a tallymechanism 59, (see Fig. 14,) arranged within an exterior compartment of the casing and comprising a plurality of dials 60 60 60", adapted to have their numerals exposed through inspectionopenings 61 in the said casing and having ratchets 62, of which that of the units-dial is actuated by an operating-pawl 63 on a slide 64, connected by means of a link 6 5 with an arm 66 on the rock-shaft 39. Stoppawls 67 are employed in connection with the 'ratchets to prevent backward rotation, and

means, such as pins 68, are employed to transmit motion from the dials of lower denomination to the next of higher denomination.

It will beunderstood that each operation of the replacing-frame, necessary to arrange-the slides after their operation by a voter, is accompaniedby an operation of the slide 64., and hence the registration of one by means of the tally mechanism 59, thus keeping an accurate count of the number of persons who have voted.

The alarm mechanism'in the construction set forth operates, as will be understood; at the limit of the movement of the replacing mechanism or of the frame constituting the essential feature of the replacing mechanism, whereby the alarm is given only after all of the'tally-slides have been returned to their normal positions. The object of this specific arrangement is to prevent the alarm from being sounded without completely returning the turning the parts to their normal posit-it I slides to their normal positions, and thus givvoter. The soundingof the alarm announces the fact that all of the slides are in their normal positions.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In avoting-machine, the combination with a series of voting-slides, and tally mechanisms operatively connected therewith, of replacing mechanism for simultaneously returning the slides to their normal positions, and including a movable member capable of continued movement after the slides have reached their normal positions, and an alarm mechanism having a member arranged in the path of said movable member of the replacing mechanism during the said continued movement thereof, whereby the alarm is sounded subsequent to the complete replacement of the slides, substantially as specified.

2. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of voting-slides, and tally mechanisms operatively connected therewith, of replacing mechanism for simultaneouslyreturning the slides totheir normal positions, the sameincludinga movable member mounted for contact with the slides, and capable of a continued movement after the slides have reached their normal positions, and an alarm mechanism havingan actuating-arm arranged in the path of said continued movement of the movable member, whereby the arm is engaged to sound the alarm subsequent to the complete replacement of the slides, substantially as specified.

3. In a votingmachine, the combination with a'scries of parallel voting-slides, tally mechanisms operatively connected therewith, of replacing mechanism for simultaneously returning the slides to their normal positions, the same having a frame disposed in a plane perpendicular to the slides, and provided with parallel swinging supports, for carrying the frame in an arc-shaped path, the terminal portion of said path being perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slides, extcrior means for actuating the swinging sup ports, and an alarm mechanism having an actuating-arm in the path of said frame at the limit of its said perpendicular movement, whereby the alarm is sounded subsequent to the complete replacement of the slides, substantially as specified.

4. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of movable parts, and tally mechanisms operatively connected with. said movable parts for actuation thereby, of replacing mechanism for simultaneously retaining devices normally disposed to se cure the movableparts in their adjusted po-,

-sitions, trip mechanism arranged in operative v as speci lied.

relation with said retaining devices for disengaging them from the slides, and means for actuating the trip and replacing mechanisms,

substantially to release and return the slides,

5. In a votingmachine, the combination with a series of mova'ble parts, and tally mechanisms operatively connected with said movable parts, of replacing mechanismineluding a movable frame for simultaneously returning the adj ustedmovable parts to. their normal positions, positioned to engage and secure the movable parts in their adjusted positions, a trip-frame having members in operative relation'with said retaining devices, andmeans for simultaneously' operating the trip-frame androplacing mechanism,substantially as specified. 6. In. a voting-machine, the combination with a series of movableparts, and tally mechanisms .operativel'y connected with said movable, parts, of replacing mechanism for simultaneously returning the movable parts to their. normal positions,retaining devices normally positioned to engage and secure the movable parts'in their adjusted positions, a

'mally" positioned to engage and secure the trip-frame having its members arranged in operative relation with said retainingdevices,

and operatingoonuectioiis between said tripfiamefand replacing mechanism, substantially as specified.

7. In .a voting-machine, the combination with a'series; of movable parts, and tally mechanisms operativelyconnected with said movable parts,- of replacing mechanism including a rock-shaft, retaining devices normovable parts in their adjusted positions, a

' trip-frame havingits members arranged in operativere'lation with saidretainin g devices, rocking levers supporting the trip-frame, and cams on said rock -=shaft for actuating the rocking levers, substantially as specified.

; 8. In a voting.- machine, the combination with a series of movable parts having ratchetteeth, and tally mechanisms operatively con-v nected with said movable parts, of retainingpawls for engagement with the ratchet-teeth and provided with openings through which retaining devices normally their normal positions,

the combination I said slides extend,slide-looking bolts mounted for movement in said guide and provided with terminalcam-faces arranged in the planes of, and adapted to coact with, the cam-faces of the slides,whereby the operation done of the slides arranges the extremities of the lockingbolts in the paths of the cam-faces on the remaining slides of the series, the slidesbeing provided in rear of their cam-faces with lateral extensions which overhang and rest upon the ends of the bolts to hold them against upward displacement, and'replacin g mechanism adapted to engage the .prdj ectin g rear portions of the slides, substantially asspecified.

10. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of tally mechanisms, of a correspending number of springless movable parts mounted for sliding movemennlocking devices for engaging saidrmovable parts successively at a plurality of spaced points, to prevent subsequent movement of said parts in the opposite direction, means for communicating motion from eachmovablepart to the cooperating tally mechanism after the initial engagement of said movable part by its locking device,- locking-bolts for actuation by a movable part during its initial move"- vment, prior to its first engagement by a looking device, to secure the remaining movable parts inthe same series against simultaneous or subsequent movement, and means for re leasing and returning the movable parts to substantially as specifl 9 11. In a voting-machine, thebombination with a series of tallymechanisms, of acorrew spending number of 'springlesSmovable parts mounted-for sliding movement, locking devices for engaging said movable parts successively at a plurality of spaced points to prevent subsequent movement of said parts in the opposite direction, means operativel y con- .nected with each tally mechanism for engagement by the cooperating movable part after the initial engagement of said movable part by its looking device,slide-locking bolts arranged in operative relation with said movable parts, and adapted to be actuated by the movement of one movable part to prevent the movement of other movable parts in the same series, said actuation of the slide-locking bolts being accomplished prior to the initial engagement of the locking devices with the movable part,

and connected releasing and 'retu rnin g mech anism for the movable parts, substantially as specified. '7

12. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of tally mechanisms, and slides operatively connected therewith,of a straightticlget-voting device including an operatinglever, a rod connected at one end to said opcrating-lever, a link supporting the other end of the rod, and arranged parallel with said lever, and projections on the slides arranged in the path of said rod,substantia'lly as specified.

13. In a voting-machine, the combination. with a series of tally mechanisms, and movthe other end of the rodand arran able parts operativelyconnected .-therewith, of a straight-ticket-voting device including an operating-lever, a rod connected at one end to said operating-lever,-alinksup rting parallel with the lever,-and means in connectionwith said movable parts, arranged in the path of. said rod for actuation thereby to advance the movable parts and actuate their respeciig; tally mechanisms, substantiallyas speci- 14. In a voting-machine, the combination with slides arranged in avertical series, tally mechanisms operativelyconnected with said slides for actuation thereby, the slides having upper and lower bevel or cam faces,'slidelocking bolts arranged between contiguous slides, and having shoulders: )r engagement by the contiguous bevel or cam faces of the slides, the slides also having notches extend; ing partlyacross the upper surface thereof to-leave guide-ribs for preventing engagement of the slide locking bolts with the notches, pawls for engaging the notches to prevent return movement of the slides, trip mechanism for disengaging the pawls from shield being mounted in guides for vertical upward movement to secure such registration of its openings with those of the tally mechanisms,and means for moving the shield, including an exposed shifting-lever, located exterior-1y. of the casing, an arm 57 arranged within the casingand permanently connected with the shield and lockingdevices for scour ing said lever when the-shield is in its nor- 5cmal'position with its'o nin out of registration with those of t e ta ly mechanisms, substantially as specified. 1 16. In avoting-machine,atally mechanism having a plurality of ratchet-wheels, dials of different denominations operatively connecttuating devices for the ratchet -wheel connected with the dial of, lowest denomination, a resetting device consisting of a pluralit of shifting pinions adapted to be arrang in ed respectively with said ratchet-wheels, means for communicating motion from onedial to the next of higher denomination, ac- 1 operative relation with gears carried by the dials and normally arrau ed out of engagement therewith, substant ally as specified. 17; In avoting'machine, a tally mechanism 'having a plurality of dials operatively connected, whereby motion is communicated from one dial to the next of' higher-denomination, and means for actuating thedial of lowest denomination, of a resetting device having a plurality of pinions, means for si muitaneously actuating said pinions, and a mutilated gears carried by the dials for engagement by said pinious, substantially as specified.

18. In a votin machine, a tally mechanism V having a plural ty of' dials, means for communicating motion from one dial to the next of higher denomination, and operating devices for the dial of lowest. denomination, a resettin device having an adjustable frame,

a plurality of pinions" carried b I said frame and operatively connected for s multaneous rotation, and mutilated is carried tively by thedials an adapted to be en gaged respectively by said pinions when the shifting frame is advanced. substantially as In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LENNA RYLAND WINSLO W.

Witnesses:

- D. N. Bamsmnm S. G. BELL.

respec- 

